Tue Apr 29 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## India Demands Retribution After Deadly Kashmir Attack Fuels Anti-Pakistan Sentiment
**Srinagar/New Delhi –** A deadly militant attack in Kashmir that left 26 dead has ignited a firestorm of anti-Pakistan sentiment in India, putting immense pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to retaliate militarily. The attack, the deadliest in over two decades, targeted tourists in the Baisaran valley, with reports indicating Hindu men were specifically targeted.
The public outcry is intense, with many calling for a swift and decisive military response against Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting the insurgents. While the attack was initially claimed by a little-known group, India links it to the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged a transparent investigation to avert further escalation.
The Modi government has responded with a series of measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and banning several Pakistani YouTube channels. However, these actions are deemed insufficient by many Indians who feel only a military strike will suffice.
This sentiment is widespread, exemplified by comments from Delhi residents interviewed who demanded a forceful military response. The call for action is fueled by long-standing anti-Pakistan feelings and has been further exacerbated by the targeted nature of the attack.
The incident has also emboldened anti-Muslim sentiment already prevalent in India. Hardline Hindu groups are openly calling for boycotts of Muslims and Kashmiris, and reports of violence against Kashmiri Muslims across the country are emerging. One Kashmiri student recounted being abused and assaulted.
Amidst the heightened tensions, Kashmir itself is facing a severe crackdown, with over 1,500 people rounded up and houses of suspected militants demolished by authorities. This heavy-handed approach, criticized as “bulldozer justice,” has resulted in collateral damage to nearby homes and has drawn condemnation from local leaders. While many Kashmiris have condemned the attack, calls for peace and restraint are overshadowed by the dominant narrative of retribution.
Diplomats in Delhi suggest India may be preparing a limited military action, but the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations remains a significant concern. The situation remains volatile as India grapples with the immense pressure for military retaliation and the rising tide of religious polarization.
First Piper 